About 40 percent of Americans say they’re willing to spend several weeks on volunteer vacations, with another 13 percent desiring to spend an entire year. The statistics certainly show popularity is growing for voluntourism.

But where volunteers want to go and how long they want to stay is linked to which generation they belong.

A UC San Diego survey polled more than 1,400 U.S. adults about global volunteer service. The survey found major differences between seniors (65+), Baby Boomers (45-64 ), Generation X (age 25-44) and Generation Y (age 18-24).

The popularity is growing for voluntourism with Generation Y. The survey found that 26 percent of Generation Y want to do a volunteer vacation.

However older volunteers prefer to stay home to do their volunteer work. Many cite mobility and health issues as well as their deeper ties to their local communities.

The voluntourism research indicates people want to connect with other people, not to organizations or governments in giving service. More than 84 percent stated that helping school children, families and people in poverty were their top interest. About 45 percent of Americans have considered volunteer vacations for themselves and 72 percent said they know someone who has been a global volunteer.